“Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal” takes place Dec. 17 at
Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. The event’s main card airs on
Showtime.

Noons and Evangelista both look to rebound from recent setbacks.

Noons, a San Diego resident, missed an opportunity to vie for champ Gilbert
Melendez’s lightweight belt when he was outpointed by Jorge Masvidal at
“Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum.” (Masvidal subsequently was booked for
the Dec. 17 event’s headliner.) It was Noons’ second consecutive setback
following a decision loss to then-welterweight champ Nick Diaz’s belt in October 2010.

Evangelista’s rise was similarly halted by Masvidal when the two met in
March at “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.” The American Kickboxing
Academy product was out-struck and out-wrestled en route to a decision
loss. It was his first defeat in 13 pro fights, which includes past wins over the likes of Jorge Gurgel, Nam Phan and Ryan Healy.